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Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Lauren Brightmore, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Oct. 18, 2010 - Sam Sweeney knows what it takes to smash the competition. Majoring in biology, Sweeney is a visible force on campus whether on the court or in the lab. An NCAA Division III National Qualifier, CCIW Player of the Year, and First Team All-CCIW recipient last season, the North Central College senior continues to improve and perfect his game this fall.

Going 7-0 in No. 1 singles during the regular season, Sweeney has proven that hard work and determination can take you places. On Sept. 27, he continued to take the court by storm at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Central Region Singles Championship, besting 128 total competitors. The central region victory brought him to Mobile, Ala. Oct. 14-16 for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association NCAA Division III Championships where he placed fifth, earning All-America honors. 

Q: How did you become involved in tennis?

A: My dad was a tennis player, so I used to tag along and watch him play. One day he bought me a racquet and asked if I wanted to go hit a few with him. I started playing and really enjoyed it. I had also watched a great deal of tennis on t.v., so I had a lot of exposure to the sport growing up.  

Q: What do you like about the new tennis courts on campus?

A: They are great because I can go down to the courts and practice my serve whenever I want. Before the courts were built, we had to practice 15 minutes away, so now things are easier and we don't have to fight traffic to get to practice. 

Q: Do you prefer to play singles or doubles?

A: I like both, but if I had to pick I would say I'm a singles player. Playing doubles is fun and has a unique energy, but I like the physical aspect of singles. There is more running, allowing singles players to use athleticism and fitness to their advantage. 

Q: What factors brought you to North Central College, having transferred here from the University of Illinois at Chicago?

A: I came here my junior year, having heard positive things about the college from a good friend of mine.  

Q: What do you like most about Division III athletics?

A: Division III athletics has great camaraderie. There are fewer “egos” on a team, often a problem with many athletes in Division I athletics. Most of the tennis guys at North Central are from the area which is nice. North Central College has a great balance between academics and athletics. It's pretty flexible, and I can focus on what I need to do. If I'm busy with school, I can actually focus on school. Or if I have a lighter work week, I can focus more on tennis. I work harder here at North Central than I ever did in Division I. 

Q: How did it feel to win the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Central Region Singles Championship?

A: The Central Region Singles Championship was a big tournament with 128 guys. To win the championship was great because it gave me some momentum and helped build up my confidence. There are still things I can improve on, but I was very happy with the performance. 

A: Over the summer I spent a ton of time working on my serve. I've gotten stronger this season because fitness is something a player can always improve upon. So I mainly fixed my serve, but I also became more mature and mentally strong in terms of my court approach. I've definitely improved since nationals last spring.  

Q: In your opinion, what defines someone with a great work ethic?

A: I am a firm believer that you do not win or lose matches on the court. Winning is a daily thing. If you want to see how someone wins tennis matches, you have to look at their daily routine. What do they do, day in and day out, to prepare their game? To have a great work ethic means you have to make sacrifices every day to get better. You must work to improve daily. 

Q: Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?

A: Definitely. I need to have my bag perfectly organized before a match. I have six racquets in my bag, and they are all in a specific order based on tension range. Each match I do the same warm-up, and do breathing exercises to calm myself down. I also take 10 minutes before the game and sit by myself so that I can think through my game plan.

Q: If you could play against anyone in the world, who would it be?

A: I would like to play against Roger Federer because he is the best male tennis player that ever lived. It would be great to see my game compared to his.

Q: What are some obstacles you have faced in your tennis career?

A: I'd say my obstacles were really transitional. Coming to this school and finding my role as both a tennis player and as a student was an adjustment. I needed to become comfortable with who I was both academically and athletically. These transitional obstacles can affect your athletic performance, too.   I think I've figured out my roles as a student and as an athlete now. 

Q: What are some of your hobbies?

A: I work a lot teaching tennis for the Hinsdale Tennis Association. I travel a lot, too. I play at various tournaments when we don't have matches as a team. For fun I just like to relax, listen to music, and hang out with my friends.

Q: In your opinion, what does it mean to be a student-athlete?

A: As a student-athlete, it is your responsibility to get things done in the classroom. Your second obligation is to your team. You compete not only for yourself, but for your teammates and your school. A student-athlete holds himself or herself accountable in the classroom as much as they do on the court. Overall, I think the term indentifies someone that is well-rounded and balanced.

Q: Will you continue to play tennis after graduation?

A: I want to play tennis after college. I played in several tournaments last summer, so once school is over, I'll probably play on the United States Tennis Association Pro Circuit. I'll be hitting it pretty much full-throttle then.